ES2599969T3 - Machine and procedure for packaging and treatment of products by high pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging machine (1) for packaging products (2), particularly food (2), the packaging machine (1) presenting at least one packaging station (3) for generating packages (5) that house products (2) and at less a high pressure treatment station (17) for the high pressure treatment of the products (2) located in the containers (5), and several transport containers (10) being provided for the housing of products (2) during the high pressure treatment of the products (2), characterized in that a central control (28) is provided for the packaging station (3) and the high pressure treatment station (17), and because a transport device is provided (15) for transporting the transport containers (10), and the transport device (15) presenting a group of interacting conveyor belts, which form an annularly closed transport path, the trans device being also connected bearing (15) to the central control (28).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Machine and procedure for packaging and treatment of products by high pressure

The present invention relates to a packaging machine and a corresponding process with which products, particularly food, are packaged and then treated at high pressure.

Food is subject to chemical and biological processes that modify its composition and can also generate substances harmful to health. For example, food can be oxidized or modified by enzymes and microorganisms, for example mold. In order for food to be consumed safely for the consumer, transported and preserved as long as possible, these processes must be prevented, or at least delayed sufficiently within the desired durability.

One possibility is to sweeten, salt or dry, food intensively to extract water from the food and thus prevent the development of microorganisms such as mold or bacteria. Enzyme activity is reduced and the development of microorganism is slowed by adding alcohol or vinegar, by adding preservatives as well as by refrigeration. In addition a heat treatment can provide the destruction of microorganisms and the inactivation of harmful enzymes. In pasteurization the food is heated in this case for a certain time below 100 ° C. However, in this case the pores of bacteria in comparison resistant remain germinal and there is a danger that important nutrients and aromas are also destroyed by heat treatment.

An additional method for prolonging food durability is to fill the food in a gas-tight container and evacuate the container before closing. If necessary, a protective gas or mixtures of protective gases, for example nitrogen or CO2, can also be added to the package. By expelling the air, for example oxygen, the activity of enzymes or microorganisms is also slowed down.

A procedure barely used so far at least in industrial dimension is the (ultra) high pressure food treatment. In this process a food already packaged in a conventional manner is subjected for a certain period of time, for example a few minutes at very high pressures of normally 400 MPa to 600 MPa. These high pressures ensure that harmful microorganisms in the food are destroyed and annihilated. On the contrary, smaller molecules such as vitamins that determine the flavor and nutritional value of the food are hardly influenced by high pressure treatment. In meat products the durability can be prolonged for example by the factor 6 to 10 compared to untreated products.

With regard to heat treatment, high pressure treatment has different advantages. For example, the taste is hardly modified and the content of vitamins in the food after a high pressure treatment is partially more than double that after a heat treatment. Some heat sensitive products, for example shellfish, also do not allow any heat treatment. Pathogenic germs such as listerias can be safely destroyed so that food safety is increased. But by means of high pressure treatment, the structure of the food can also be influenced in a way that creates novel product possibilities, for example by gelatinizing fruit preparations without heat. Finally, the technology for high pressure treatment has already been recognized in many countries as safe (for food). In addition, high pressure treatment enables longer food durability with simultaneous renunciation of preservatives. Foods treated with high pressure do not have to be permanently cooled but can also be stored at temperatures above 4 to 6 Celsius. Simultaneously, the high organoleptic and nutritional valences (such as vitamin content) of the products or foods remain.

In the high pressure treatment of packaged foods, due to the process conditions, problems with the packaging can occur. Thus visually disadvantageous modifications may appear and also damage. Especially containers with protective gas atmosphere by the percentage of gas that can be compressed a lot cause problems in the container. This is also a reason why until now mainly vacuum packaging is used in high pressure treatment.

WO 2007/1288281 A1 discloses a deep drawing packaging machine with an integrated cleaning device for automatic cleaning of machine components.

The inactivation of microorganisms as well as the modification of structure of food components are described for example in EP 0 588 010 A1, EP 0 689 391 B1, EP 0 752 211 B1, EP 1 100 340 B1, DE 42 26 255 A1, or DE 37 34 025 C2. EP 1 112 008 B1, EP 1 201 252 B1, DE 196 49 952 A1, DE 197 38 800 A1, DE 199 39 677 A1 and document DE 26 11 389 A1 describe the impact of high pressure treatments on Microbiological durability and food safety. The application of high pressure treatment especially in meat products is described in DE 198 01 031 C2, DE 1 965 36 C1, EP 0 748 592 B1, EP 0 683 986 B1, DE 101 01 958 A1, DE 10 2005 011 868 A1, or WO 2006/097248 A1.

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An installation for high pressure food treatment is also known from WO 2006/129180 A1. In this case, an autoclave with a high pressure chamber is provided, in which the food is subjected to high pressure. To form the pressure the autoclave must be closed. Therefore the installation cannot operate continuously. To increase the operational capacity of the installation, it is normally operated in the discontinuous procedure in which the products are introduced in a group in the autoclave, treated with high pressure and extracted.

An additional installation for the high pressure treatment of products is deduced from EP 0 687 421 A1. In this installation a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber are provided.

There is still no high pressure installation that can handle the usual quantities in the industry. Only many / several parallel autoclaves that are also usually filled manually can cope with the output of products.

The objective of the present invention is to facilitate a packaging machine and a method that enable the cost-effective use of a high-pressure treatment facility also on an industrial scale.

This objective is achieved by means of a packaging machine with the features of claim 1 or by a process with the features of claim 9. Advantageous improvements of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

The packaging machine according to the invention is characterized in that a central control is provided for the packaging station and the high pressure treatment station. Until now, high-pressure packaging stations and treatment stations were always presented as separate machines. The central control according to the invention now enables the operation of these stations and the adaptation of the respective operational capacity with respect to each other to avoid waiting times for the stations. In particular, the central control provides trouble-free operation, given the synchronous case of the stations to increase the total operational capacity of the packaging machine. The products generated and treated can be more profitable in this way when waiting times are avoided in particular at the high-cost high-pressure treatment station.

The packaging machine according to the invention can have several packaging stations and a single high pressure treatment station. This further provides that the generally expensive high pressure treatment station can be operated continuously to further reduce costs for products packed and treated with high pressure. This also facilitates the generation of different containers in the packaging machine.

Packaging during high pressure treatment provides that direct contact between the product to be treated and the high pressure medium (which is usually water) is avoided. In addition, it is guaranteed that the products will not be contaminated again after treatment. Even in the case of bottling in a clean room, there is always the risk of becoming contaminated again with certain germs that appear everywhere, such as listeria. This danger increases when service personnel must be employed.

When the at least one packing station is controlled together with the high pressure treatment station, a fully automated operation can be carried out chained of the entire packaging machine that allows a clearly superior operating capacity with respect to the separate operating machines. The packaging station can be, for example, a deep-drawing packaging station, a continuous (chamber) tape machine or a heat sealer ('Tray-Sealer'). It is even possible that the containers be evacuated before closing and sealing and / or are provided with a protection gas or mixture of protection gases (for example nitrogen or CO2) In addition to the high pressure treatment the protection gas prevents the growth of germs that may still exist and oxidation of the products. in the food sector by combining a high pressure treatment and a product protection gas treatment the durability of these products can be considerably prolonged.

Preferably at least one transport container is provided for housing products during high pressure treatment of these products. The transport container gathers a multitude of products in a group that together, that is to say in the so-called "discontinuous operation", are subjected to high pressure. This mode of operation is conducive since the high pressure chamber of the high pressure treatment station must be closed tightly against pressure. The transport container facilitates the transport of the products and increases the speed when filling and unloading the high pressure chamber.

It is favorable when the transport container has a lower part and an upper part that can be joined to each other, both the lower part and the upper part being configured to accommodate at least one product. This offers advantages over conventional one-piece transport containers in terms of a higher degree of filling and easier loading and unloading of transport containers, especially in the case of automated filling with a robot.

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The high pressure treatment installation preferably comprises a transport device for transporting the transport container from a loading station to a high pressure chamber, then to a discharge station and back to the loading station. This transport device can be a group of conveyor belts or driven rollers that can jointly define an annularly closed transport path.

Loading and unloading of the transport container can be done manually. However, these operations can take place more quickly if a robot or clamps for automatic loading or unloading of the transport container is provided at the loading station and / or at the unloading station. For example, the clamp could have an aspiration device to hold the products or their containers temporarily by aspiration.

In the high-pressure treatment station, several high-pressure chambers can be provided, however, they are supplied with a high-pressure medium subjected to pressure through a common pressure generation system. Surprisingly, it has been shown that in the case of proper operation of high-pressure chambers, for example, a time-lagged operation, a single pressure generating system may be sufficient for the supply of several high-pressure chambers. Since the pressure generation system handles several high-pressure chambers, it can almost be operated under permanent load. In this way the pressure oscillations and a wear of the pressure generation system are reduced. By providing several high pressure chambers with a common pressure generation system, considerable cost savings can be achieved by erecting the high pressure station and its operation. An additional advantage of the invention is that also in the case of oatmeal from a high pressure chamber (in this case and hereinafter synonymous with the term "autoclave") it can continue to be produced with the one or the other high pressure chambers and by both with at least 50% of the original capacity. Another additional advantage is that different products can be treated in each chamber, if necessary also in a different way.

In particular, the high pressure treatment station can have exactly two high pressure chambers. The pressure generation system may comprise one or more high pressure pumps as well as one or several low pressure pumps.

Preferably, the pressure generation system comprises an actionable pressure distribution system, whereby the pressure can optionally be applied to one of the high pressure chambers. In this way it can be controlled exactly with which curve the pressure in the individual high pressure chambers increases, is maintained and reduced.

It is convenient when using the pressure generation system a pressure can be applied simultaneously on several high pressure chambers. Thus, waiting times of one of the autoclaves that otherwise might be necessary until the complete pressure discharge of the other autoclave can be avoided. Instead this variant of the invention allows not only high-pressure operation of the alternate autoclaves, but also time staggered and even partially overlapped. In this way the average duration of the cycle can be shortened (ie the duration of the individual autoclave cycle divided by the number of autoclaves).

Particularly favorable for this objective is when different pressures can be applied by means of the pressure generation system simultaneously in two high pressure chambers. Therefore, the time-staggered operation of high-pressure chambers is further favored.

In a variant of the invention the pressure generation system presents a device for maintaining a high pressure in a high pressure chamber. This equipment is responsible for maintaining the high pressure or maximum pressure in the high pressure chamber, even when the pressure generation system simultaneously provides the pressure rise in another high pressure chamber. The high pressure can be extracted in this case from a central pressure generator of the pressure generation system, or also from a separate high pressure pump which during the maintenance time of the high pressure is connected to the high pressure chamber.

It is conceivable to connect the central control to an operational data recording system - for example for maintenance purposes - to record the operating parameters of the packaging machine or to document the quality of the treated products.

Adaptation of the development of operation of the packaging machine, particularly the synchronization of a packaging station and the high-pressure station, can be facilitated by being provided for example in the loading station a storage area for storing a crowd of products. Therefore, the products can be delivered almost continuously to this storage area even though they are then transferred in storage area groups to a transport container. In this way, on the one hand, the packaging station could continuously produce the containers that can be continuously treated in the high pressure treatment station (if necessary depending on the operational data supplied by the high pressure station). On the other hand, the packaging station can produce so many containers and transfer them to the storage area so that it is always full. Even in a stop of the packing stations, for example for an operation of equipment of a new lamina does not stop any

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the expensive high pressure treatment station. In this case, the accumulator can continue to supply the high-pressure treatment station with containers. Since a stop of the high pressure treatment station is avoided, the efficiency of the packaging machine increases further.

A verification system is convenient for examining the products and / or their packaging for damage and deficiencies. The verification system could perform a weight measurement to find out underweight or ford containers, a metal detection to find out the metal residues in the products, and / or an optical inspection regarding deficiencies or damage to the product or container , for example an erroneous labeling. Damages can also be detected in this way to the product or the container that is possibly caused in the treatment by high pressure.

The sorting devices can deal with classifying damaged or defective products or packages so that they do not unnecessarily undergo the costly and long-lasting high pressure procedure. A check and classification of the products and packages can be carried out both before loading the transport container, as well as after unloading a transport container.

Fully automatic operation of the packaging machine with maximum operational capacity can be facilitated when the largest possible number of components of the installation are connected to the central control, particularly the transport device, the clamp, the checking system and / or the device classification.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a packaging machine for packaging products, particularly food, in at least one packaging station and for the following high pressure treatment of products packaged in at least one high treatment station. Pressure. The invention is characterized by the drive adapted between sf of the packaging station (s) and the high pressure treatment station (s) by means of a common control. As explained in detail, this guarantees a trouble-free operation of the packaging machine with a very high operating capacity so that the products can also be packaged on an industrial scale and therefore in a comparatively affordable manner, and treated with high pressure.

It is favorable when products already packaged are stored in a storage area between the packaging station and the high pressure treatment station. In this way, containers can always be provided sufficiently to avoid an unwanted and very expensive stop of the high pressure treatment station.

Conveniently, the common control is oriented to adjust the number of containers generated per unit of time in the packaging stations to the number of containers treated with high pressure per unit of time in the high pressure treatment stations. In a fully automatic operation, the containers stored in a storage area can also be considered. Overall, waiting times for the different components of the packaging machine are largely avoided.

In an example of a special embodiment, the packaging stations and the high pressure treatment stations can be operated by also controlling synchronously between their

In a variant of the invention, at least two high pressure chambers are provided which are supplied with high pressure medium through a common pressure generation system. The invention is then characterized in that the high pressure chambers are operated in different cycles or displaced in time. This enables an almost continuous operation of the pressure generation system, with corresponding advantages in terms of lower pressure oscillations, expenses of lower maintenance and lower operating costs. The asynchronous or outdated operation of the high-pressure chamber over time also leads to a comparison with synchronous operation to a more uniform production of treated products in a way that facilitates the operation of the subordinate treatment devices (for example labeling equipment or change of packaging).

Preferably, the high-pressure chambers are supplied in this way with the high-pressure medium subjected to pressure so that at most one of the high-pressure chambers, the maximum pressure set for the treatment of the products is presented, and / or because always at most one of the high pressure chambers the pressure for high pressure is formed. In this way the necessary pump power of the pressure generation system is limited so that the pressure generation system can be sized smaller and more economical.

In a special variant of the procedure in a high pressure chamber the formation of the high pressure begins, after or exactly when in another high pressure chamber the formation of the high pressure has ended. In this way, a uniform, almost continuous operation of the pressure generation system is further favored. Alternatively, however, the pressure formation may also be carried out in the discharge chambers at least partially parallel.

In a process variant it is conceivable to carry out several pressure cycles in a high pressure chamber. Through the treatment by multiple high pressure of the products contained in the high chamber

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Pressure is not only then pasteurized, but even sterilized, that is, a complete destruction of germs and microorganisms. As for the synchronization of the high pressure chambers, it is possible that each of the pressure cycles corresponds to a normal duty cycle of the high pressure chambers.

It was already explained that before and / or after high pressure treatment, an automatic check of the products or their packaging is carried out for damage or deficiencies. In particular, unnecessary high pressure treatment of defective or defective products can be avoided in this way.

Next, advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by means of a drawing. They show in a particular way:

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

a schematic view of the entire packaging machine,

a fragment of the machine shown in figure 1 in the area of the charging station,

a second embodiment of the packaging machine, in which a loading station-common transport container for two packing stations is planned,

a schematic view of the high pressure chambers in the high pressure treatment station,

a fragment of the machine shown in figure 1 in the area of the discharge station, and

a schematic representation of the cycle operation of the two high pressure chambers shown in figure 1.

The same components are provided in the figures continuously with the same reference numbers.

Figure 1 shows in schematic overview a packaging machine according to the invention for packaging and treating by high pressure products 2. Products 2 can be particularly foods whose shelf life is prolonged by high pressure treatment and / or positively influences its properties such as viscosity.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the packaging machine 1 according to the invention comprises two packaging stations 3. The packaging stations 3 can be, for example, deep drawing packaging stations, continuous tape (chamber machines) ) or the so-called 'Tray-Sealer' (heat sealers). The two packing stations 3 can be of the same or a different type. A conveyor belt 4 (or other suitable conveyor device) houses the products 2, for example in bowls lower and (pre) molded of a container, and transports products 2 into the packaging station 3.

In the packing station 3 a closed gas-tight container 5 is formed around each product. Before a container 5 is closed, it can be evacuated at the packaging station 3 and washed with a protective or replacement gas, for example nitrogen and / or CO2, which replaces the air in the package and prolongs the durability of the product 2.

Through an additional conveyor belt 6 the packaged products 2 arrive from the packaging station 3 to a storage area 7. The storage area 7 is large enough to accommodate a multitude of products 2 or packages 5. In the storage area 7 rested the fed products 2 or packages 5 fed by the conveyor belt 6. In the storage area 7, grinding means 8 may be provided to orient the packages 5 in a defined manner and to guide the packages 5 in different compartments of the area of storage 7.

The machine according to the invention 1 has a multitude of transport containers 10. Each transport container 10 has a semi-cylindrical lower part 11 and also a semi-cylindrical upper part 12 which are joined through a hinge 13 one on top of another in a tilting manner. In a closed position the two parts 11, 12 meet to form a cylindrical transport container 10. In an open position in which the transport container 10 is represented in Figure 1 adjacent to the storage area 7 the two parts 11 , 12 have free access up. The transport container 10 also has a fastening element 14 which is connected through an additional hinge with one of the two parts 11, 12 and which in the embodiment is configured as a safety grid. A fastener 14 of this type can also be provided both in the lower part 11, as well as in the upper part 12. It serves to retain the products 2 or packages 5 inserted in the two parts 11, 12 of the transport container 10 before a shift or displacement when the transport container 11 is open or closed, eg by folding the two halves of the transport container 10.

By means of a transport device 15, for example a group of transport belts in interaction, the transport containers 10 can in each case be transported along an annularly closed transport path. The transport direction T is indicated in figure 1 with several arrows. Usually the transport is done in steps or intermittently.

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The centerpiece of the packaging machine 1 according to the invention is a high pressure treatment station 17 configured as a double autoclave that has two high pressure chambers 18 that can be sealed in a gas tight manner. Each high-pressure chamber 18 corresponds in its size to approximately an entire multiple of the volume of a transport container 10. For example, a high-pressure chamber 18 can accommodate one, two or three transport containers 10 simultaneously so that the products 2 housed in the transport containers 10 they can be subjected to the pressure of a high pressure medium.

In the exemplary embodiment, a common pressure generation system 19 is provided by means of which the high pressure medium pressure is generated and adjusted in the two high pressure chambers 18. The pressure generation system 19 has a multitude of high and low pressure pumps for high pressure medium. In addition, a reserve for the medium of high pressure may be provided.

Through a pressure distribution system 20 schematically shown the high pressure medium is optionally led to the two high pressure chambers 18. The corresponding switching means and valves in the pressure distribution system 20 deal with the regulation of the pressure in the two high pressure chambers 18. The pressure distribution system 20 is designed so that different pressures can simultaneously be applied to the two high pressure chambers 18.

A device 21 also belongs to the pressure generation system 19 to maintain the high pressure in a high pressure chamber 18. The equipment 21 can be a separate high pressure pump 21 that is assigned in each case to one of the two chambers of high pressure 18. The equipment 21 serves to compensate for pressure losses eg by pressure oscillations in one of the high pressure chambers 18 during the maximum pressure preservation time, while the pressure distribution system 20 is Simultaneously occupies the formation of pressure in the other high-pressure chamber 18.

In an intended loading area 23 adjacent to the storage area 7 along the transport device 15, the open transport containers 10 can be loaded with products 2. For this purpose a clip 24 is provided which by means of a gripping device or Aspiration 25 can hold one or several containers 5 simultaneously, and can transfer from the storage area 7 to the open transport container 10. On the side downstream in the transport direction T of the autoclave 17 an analogue station is provided analogously. discharge 26 in which the open transport containers 10 are unloaded. Also in the unloading station 26 a clip 24 is provided with a suction or gripping device 25 to extract the products 2 (in this case not shown) from the open transport container 10 and transfer them to a discharge band 27.

It is useful when means (eg mechanical or pneumatic means) are provided, to open or close the transport containers 10 and if necessary also the fasteners 14 outside the loading and unloading stations 23, 26. In in the case of operation of the transport device 15 by cycles or intermittently, the means for the automatic closing of the transport container 10 could be provided, for example, in the place where the transport container 10 reaches a duty cycle later than the station of loading 23. The means for automatically opening the transport container 20 may be provided analogously therein along the transport device 15 where the transport container 10 reaches a duty cycle before reaching the discharge station 23. When the opening and closing of the transport container 10 is not carried out in the loading and unloading station 23, 26, the duration of the transport can be shortened. cycle of the packaging machine 1. However, if in any case sufficient time is facilitated, the opening or closing of the container can also be carried out at the loading station 23 or at the same unloading station 26.

To control the packaging machine 1 or its components, a central control 28 is provided. Through data and control lines 29 the control 28 is connected to the different components of the high-pressure treatment plant 1. In Figure 1 It is indicated that the control 28 among others is connected to the packing stations 3, the pressure generation system 19, the pressure distribution system 20 and the clamps 24 in the loading and unloading station 23, 26. In addition to the control 28 is also connected to the transport device 15 and additional components not shown in Figure 1 of the packaging machine 1. In particular, it may be linked to an operational data recording system (German BDE system) to monitor the operation of the packaging machine 1 and ensure and control the quality of the treatment products by high pressure.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged fragment of the packaging machine 1 of Figure 1 in the area of the charging station 23.

In this case, the area between the conveyor belt 6, which joins the packaging station 3 and the storage area 7, is particularly enlarged. On the conveyor belt 6 the packaged products 2 are first transported in several rails since they are also generated in the packaging station 3 connected upstream. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2, the containers 5 are transported, for example, in four rails arranged next to each other. An individualization device 30, for example properly molded crane walls, deals with a reduction in the number of the rails up to an individualization of the containers 5. In this way the packages 5 can be fed individually to the

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check system 31. The check system 31 has suitable sensors to find out the weight of the containers 5, especially empty containers, metal scraps and / or other damages and deficiencies in the product 2 or the container 5. In this way defective or deficient containers 5 'can be detected and extracted from the treatment process by means of classification devices 32.

The containers without faults 5, on the other hand, reach the storage area 7. Allf are seized by tweezers 24 and - as indicated by the arrow G - they are loaded into the open transport containers 10. The two arrows P indicate as the upper part 12 of the transport container 10 opened with respect to the lower part 11 around the hinge 13, and as the holding element 14 opened with respect to the upper part 12. In Figure 2 it can be seen that the containers 5 they are partially stacked in an overlapping manner in the transport container 10.

Figure 3 schematically shows a modified form of the individualization device 30, in which products 2 or packages 5 are advanced by two different conveyor belts 6. Each of the conveyor belts 6 is associated with a packaging station 3. The stations 3 can be of the same type or different type. In the area of the individualization device 30 according to figure 3 there is a deviation 33, in which the transport paths of the two conveyor belts 6. A blocking means that can be operated 34, in this case a means The tilting crane optionally releases the transport path of one of the two conveyor belts 6 to the individualization device 30, so that the individualized packages 5 can be fed to the checking system 31. The variant according to Figure 3 is offered when The capacity of the packaging machine 1 is sufficient to treat additional products 2 or when in the packaging stations 3 connected upstream of the two conveyor belts 6 different products 2 or packages 5 must be generated.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged fragment of the high pressure treatment station 17 of the packaging machine according to the invention 1. On each of the two sides the high pressure station 17 has a section of track in the form of box in which a cylindrical autoclave 35 can be introduced laterally. Each of the two autoclaves 35 that can move laterally in the direction of the arrow S is precisely large enough to accommodate two transport containers 10. As soon as two transport containers 10 were inserted into the autoclaves 35 in the axial direction the Autoclave 35 moves laterally in the direction of the arrow S and thus enters the track section. Together with the track section that closes the autoclave 5 on both sides, the autoclave 35 now defines the high pressure chamber 18.

Figure 4 indicates that the two high pressure chambers 18 of the high pressure station 17 can also be operated with the same cycle time out of date with respect to each other. While the upper autoclave is arranged outside the road section for loading or unloading the lower autoclave 35 is in the road section associated with it. Therefore, the high pressure chamber 18 formed by the track section and the lower autoclave 35 is closed so that in this high pressure chamber 18 a high pressure treatment of the products 2 can be carried out.

As an alternative to the variant shown in Figure 4, it is conceivable that the high-pressure chambers 18 are not located laterally offset with respect to the transport device 15, but directly the transport direction of the transport device 15. By means of the transport device 15 or Another conveyor element, for example a slide, the cylindrical transport containers 10 may be inserted straight into the high pressure chamber 18 also cylindrical or removed from the high pressure chamber 18 after the high pressure treatment installation.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged fragment of the packaging machine 1 in the area of the unloading station 26. In the unloading station 26, or if necessary already along the transport device 15, the transport containers 10 open. The clip 24 provides by means of the movement indicated with the arrow G the unloading of the transport container 10. The unloaded containers 5 are deposited in an ejection band 27. An individualization device 30 provides an orientation and individualization of the containers 5.

A multitude of additional treatment stations are provided downstream of the individualization device 30: a dryer 36 for drying the containers 5, that is to remove the high pressure medium (usually water) that adheres even if necessary to the containers 5 , a labeling and marking station 37, as well as a check system 31 with classification devices 32, in order to detect and classify defective or defective products 2 or containers 5.

Next, the operation of the packaging machine according to the invention 1 or the development of the process according to the invention through the path of a product 2 by means of the packaging machine 1 is described by means of an embodiment example.

The product 2 is deposited on the first conveyor belt 4 in the lower part of a container 5, for example in a cavity deeply embedded in a continuous sheet, or in preformed bowls already individualized. The conveyor belt 4 transports the product 2 to the packaging station 3. In the packaging station 3 the container 5 is evacuated and / or washed with a replacement gas before it is sealed and sealed in a gas tight manner.

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The second conveyor belt 6 transports the finished containers 5 of the packaging station 3 to the individualization device 30, in which an individual container rail 5 is generated. Between the packaging station 3 and the individualization device 30 there may be devices of separation and cutting to separate from each other 5 containers still joined together between sr

The individualized containers 5 by means of the individualization device 30 arrive at the checking system 31 in which different properties of the products 2 or their containers 5 are checked, for example weight, appearance, the lack of a product or the presence of metallic waste. Defective or deficient containers 5 'are detected by the checking system 31 and are removed from the process through the classification devices 32.

The remaining containers 5 reach the storage area 7. The gma means 8 provide an orientation of the containers 5 and a distribution in the different compartments of the storage area 7. The oriented containers 5 are now grasped by means of the clip 24 and they are loaded to an open transport container 10. For this purpose the upper part 12 of the transport container 10 has been tilted with respect to the lower part 11 around the hinge 13 and the holding element 14 has been tilted with respect to the top 12 also in the direction P.

The storage area 7 continuously houses products and takes care that the work cycles of the high-pressure station 17 and the packing stations 3 do not necessarily have to be precisely synchronized with each other. Also in the case of productivity swings of the packing stations 3, for example in the case of a retrofitting or cleaning of the packing stations 3, sufficient products 2 can always exist in the storage area 7 to be able to feed the high pressure station 17 "continuously".

As soon as the lower and upper part 11, 12 of the transport container 10 are filled, the holding element 14 is tilted back first to close the upper part 12, to retain the containers 5 included in the upper part 12 front to a shift. The upper part 12 is then swung around the hinge 13 on the lower part 11, whereby the transport container 10 is closed. In the closed cylindrical mold of the transport container 10 the upper part 12 can be locked with respect to the lower part 11.

Then the transport device 15 transports the transport container 10 closed but provided with openings for the passage of high pressure medium to the high pressure station 17. One or more transport containers 10 are introduced together in the high pressure chamber 18 open. This introduction can be carried out through a slide in the axial direction of the transport device 15.

After filling the high pressure chamber 18 the high pressure chamber 18 is flooded with high pressure medium (usually water at room temperature). The high pressure medium arrives from the pressure generation system 19 through the pressure distribution system 20 to the respective high pressure chamber 18. It is conceivable that the high pressure chamber 18 is vented until it is completely filled with medium high pressure It is also possible that during the flood one or more closure plugs of the high pressure chamber 18 adopt a first closed position and after the flood they are taken to a second deeper closed position to generate thus and a previous pressure in the pressure medium high.

After the complete closing of the high pressure chamber 18 by means of the pressure generation system 19, the pressure in the high pressure chamber 18 is increased - normally in values between 400 MPa and 1000 MPa. The high pressure medium penetrates through the openings in the transport container 10 and subject the containers 5 and the products contained therein to high pressure. The maximum pressure of the high pressure medium is maintained for a predetermined period of time before the pressure decreases again.

The packaging machine 1 is operated by cycles. The duty cycle of all the components of the packaging machine 1, particularly the conveyor belts 4, 6, the packaging stations 3, the clamps 24, the transport device 15 and the double autoclave 17 including the system Pressure generation 19 are specified by central control 28.

Figure 6 schematically shows a fragment of the development of cycle operation of the two high pressure autoclaves or chambers 18. At the beginning of the production shift or the like, only the first autoclave 18. operates for a period of two minutes the autoclave 18 It opens, it downloads, it loads again and closes. In the space of time following one minute, the first autoclave 18 is flooded with water and if necessary ventilated at the same time. Then for a period of 3.5 minutes the high pressure is formed in the high pressure chamber 18 by means of the pressure generation system 19. The maximum pressure is maintained for an additional 2 minutes, if necessary with the help of equipment 21 for maintaining high pressure. At the end of this 2 minute time period the pressure in the high pressure chamber 18 drops back down to normal pressure. Therefore the first work cycle of the first autoclave 18 begins and the second work cycle begins.

The second autoclave 18 operates with the same cycles, but out of time with respect to the first autoclave18. The first duty cycle of the second autoclave 18 begins after a waiting time of 3.5 minutes with respect to the first autoclave 18. Thus, it is guaranteed that the phase of high pressure formation in the second autoclave 18 begins in the moment in which the first autoclave 18 has reached the maximum pressure.

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In this way the pressure generation system 19 can be developed almost in continuous operation.

It is conceivable that in each high pressure chamber 18 a device is provided to control and regulate the decrease in pressure of the high pressure medium. For example, the high pressure chamber may have an outlet valve to output high pressure medium from the high pressure chamber, as well as a controllable adjustment member by means of which the rate of pressure decrease in the pressure chamber can be regulated. high pressure at least through a specified pressure zone. The rate of pressure decrease could be adjustable without levels and the adjustment member could present a pressure multiplier and be controllable for example by compressed air. In this way it can be achieved that the decrease of the pressure is carried out very quickly first although it is clearly slowed down in a specified pressure range to avoid as a result of a too rapid pressure decrease in the products 2 or their packages 5.

As soon as the high pressure treatment installation is finished, the transport containers 10 are removed again from the high pressure chamber 18 and by means of the transport device 15 they are taken to the discharge station 26. In this path the containers Transport 10 can now be opened. In the discharge station 26, a clamp 24 removes the containers 5 and deposits them on an ejection band 27. By means of an individualization device 30, the containers arrive at a dryer 36, which eliminates the excess high pressure medium. Next, a labeller or printer 37 applies labels and distinctions on the containers 5 before the packages 5 arrive at an additional check system 31 with sorting devices 32.

The packaging machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is mostly constructed with mirror symmetry. Each of the two high-pressure chambers 18 is associated with a packing station 3 and a proper circulation of a transport device 15 with a group of transport containers 10. Only the control of the entire packaging machine 1 is carried out by the central control 28, and the generation of pressure in the two high pressure chambers 18 is carried out through the common pressure generation system 19. However, it is possible that only a single common circulation of a transport device 15 was provided for the transport containers 10 transported to the two chambers 18.

Starting from the exemplary embodiments shown, the packaging machine according to the invention 1 and the process according to the invention can be modified in a multiple way. For example, more than two high pressure chambers 18 may be provided. The packaging machine 1 could also use one-piece transport containers 10. It is also conceivable that only a single packing station 3 is provided and that the containers generated by it are distributed to the transport containers 10 of the two high pressure chambers 18. The time lapses shown in Figure 6 of the phases The individual process processors of the high pressure chambers 18 are only by way of example and can be adjusted differently. It is also possible that the various autoclaves 35 are not provided in a common housing or container 17 but in their own cases in each case.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. Packaging machine (1) for packaging products (2), particularly food (2), presenting the packaging machine (1) at least one packaging station (3) to generate packages (5) housing products (2) and at least one high pressure treatment station (17) for the high pressure treatment of the products (2) located in the containers (5), and several transport containers (10) being provided for housing products (2) ) during the high pressure treatment of the products (2), characterized in that a central control (28) is provided for the packaging station (3) and the high pressure treatment station (17), and because a device is provided of transport (15) for the transport of the transport containers (10), and the transport device (15) presenting a group of conveyor belts that interact, forming an annularly closed transport path, the device being also connected transport (15) to the central control (28). 2. Packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it has several packaging stations (3) and a single high-pressure treatment station (17). 3. Packaging machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a clamp (24) for loading or unloading the containers is provided in a loading station (23) and / or in a unloading station (26). of transport (10). 4. Packaging machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamp (24) and / or a check system (31) are connected to the central control (28). 5. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high pressure treatment station (17) has at least two high pressure chambers (18) in which the products (2) alternately and / or simultaneously they can undergo a medium of high pressure. 6. Packaging machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a common pressure generation system (19) is provided for supplying high pressure chambers (18) with high pressure medium subjected to pressure, presenting the system of pressure generation (19) a pressure distribution system (20) operable by means of which the pressure can optionally be applied to one of the high pressure chambers (18). 7. Packaging machine according to claim 6, characterized in that by means of the pressure generation system (19) simultaneously different pressures can be applied in two high pressure chambers (18). 8. Packaging machine according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the pressure generation system (19) has an equipment (21) for maintaining a high pressure in a high pressure chamber (18). 9. Procedure for operating a packaging machine (1) for packaging products (2), particularly food (2), in at least one packaging station (3) and for the next high pressure treatment of packaged products (2) ) in at least one high pressure treatment station (17), several transport containers (10) being provided to accommodate products (2) during high pressure treatment of the products (2), characterized by the drive adapted one to another of the packaging station (3) and the high pressure treatment station (17) by means of a common control (28), in addition to the actuation of a transport device (15) for the transport containers (10) by the same control (28), the transport device (15) presenting a group of conveyor belts that interact by means of which the transport containers (10) are transported along an annular shaped closed transport path. 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the packaging station (3) and the high pressure treatment station (17) are operated synchronously with each other by means of the common control (28). 11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the high pressure treatment station (17) has at least two high pressure chambers (18) in which the products (2) can be subjected to a pressure medium high, a common pressure generation system (19) being provided to supply the high pressure chambers (18) with high pressure medium subjected to pressure, and high pressure chambers (18) being operated in different cycles or outdated in the time. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in one of the high pressure chambers (18) the formation of the high pressure begins after another high pressure chamber (18) has completed the formation of the high pressure . 13. Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that several pressure cycles are performed successively in a high pressure chamber (18). 14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that an automatic check of the products (2) or their packages (5) is carried out before and / or after high pressure treatment. As for damages or deficiencies. 15. Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the loading of transport containers (10) is carried out with products (2) and / or the unloading of the products (2) is carried out automatically from the containers of transport (10).